Teaching and Supervision of Human Trafficking in Counselor Education Programs
Kristen Eldredge, EdD, LPC, ACS, NCC, CCTP & Susan Foster, PhD, LPC-S, ACS, NCC, BC-TMH, CCTP | September 23 | 10:15-11:15 am
Topic: Programming | Knowledge Level: Intermediate
The treatment of human trafficking (HT) survivors poses numerous challenges for counselors which should be addressed in supervision (Courtois & Ford, 2009). However, prior to ever working with a survivor of HT in a clinical setting, it is imperative that counseling students receive training on human trafficking in a trauma-informed manner. Counselor educators and supervisors must have a strong grasp on the issues that will arise in the classroom as well as in treatment, including the dynamics that will enter the educational and supervisory relationships. Research has highlighted the inherent risks of teaching about atrocities such as human trafficking, including re-traumatization and vicarious trauma (Carello, 2014). As such, counselor education programs much create and deliver curriculum that adequately trains students on the harsh realities of human trafficking while following a trauma-informed pedagogical approach. When students reach clinical fieldwork training, a Trauma-Sensitive Supervision model should be incorporated. Trauma-Sensitive Supervision (TSS) encompasses four major elements including expert knowledge of trauma theory and treatment, identifying and processing countertransference reactions, identifying and processing vicarious trauma experiences, and a safe and supportive supervisory alliance (Sommer & Cox, 2005). Navigating multicultural and social justice issues both within the educational and the supervisory relationship is also critical. Attendees will learn the benefits of using a trauma-informed teaching approach to educating students on human trafficking in counselor education programs and a TSS approach during clinical fieldwork. Attendees will also gain strategies on delivering trauma-informed curriculum from the presenters’ own experiences as counselor educators and supervisors.
Presentation Objectives:
· Discuss the unique challenges faced by counselor educators, supervisors, and graduate students when working with human trafficking
· Describe how to apply trauma-informed teaching strategies for effective teaching of human trafficking
· Outline the key elements of TSS for cases of human trafficking